EVENTS AT SEA

"All the Things that Can Go Wrong On A Cruise"


2010

The table below lists "events at sea" occurring after January 1, 2009, including cruise ship accidents.  It is based on media reports, passenger reports posted at on-line boards and discussion groups, and reports sent to Cruise Junkie. In reviewing the information, please keep in mind that some cruise lines are given less scrutiny by the media than others, and it is not uncommon for events to not appear in the media.  This information reflects only that which has made it into the public domain.


Pollution and Environmental Violations and Fines

To go to CRUISE JUNKIE DOT COM Home page, click here

THE Comprehensive list of Persons Overboard, 1995 - 2009

Events at Sea Broken Down by Cruise Line and by Ship


Events at Sea Involving Ferries


Crewz Viewz -- Information for and from crew members
 

Safety Watch -- Passenger-Documented Safety Issues

Reported Cruise Industry Spending on Lobbying the US Congress, 1997-2008 (pdf)

Analysis of Reports of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault on cruise ships: Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises

 My Dream Is Shattered and My Attacker Goes Free -- Sexual Assault on NCL America

NewGetting a Grip on Cruise Ship Pollution - SummaryNew
Getting a Grip On Cruise Ship Pollution - Full Report
(A report by CruiseJunkie from Friends of the Earth)

NewPoorly Cleaned Public Cruise Ship Restrooms May Predict Norovirus OutbreaksNew

Swine Flu and Cruise Ships - Reported Cases and Issues

Legal Issues Relevant to Cruise Ships (A student's honors thesis)



Have you been onboard during an "event" or illness outbreak?
Let me know, and send along photos or video if you have them
.

Date
Ship
Cruise Line
Event
Type of Incident
February 8 Boudicca
Fred Olsen Cruises
A poster at Cruise Critic (message #20) reports, "As of Friday 5th Feb Fred Olsen says about eighty people infected on the present cruise. The ship will again be "deep cleansed" on its return. FO will write to all next group passengers setting out the position and presumably the options. My partner and I have strong recommendations from our GPs not to risk it and I am cancelling and requesting refunds".
Illness
February 7 Costa Victoria
Costa Cruises
Terra reports an Argentine tourist liner passenger died on Saturday during a tour of the schooner in Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, south coast of Rio de Janeiro. The woman was found by other passengers floating in a place known as Blue Lagoon. The passenger was removed by the Fire Brigade and sent to the Forensic Institute. Will open an administrative inquiry to investigate the causes and circumstances of death. The name and age of the woman was not disclosed.
Death on shore
February 7 Isle of Arran
Caledonia MacBrayne Ferry
BBC reports fourteen passengers were brought to shore safely after the ferry crashed into a pier on the Kintyre Peninsula while reversing into the harbour at Kennacraig at about 0930 GMT, after sailing from Islay . The ferry, which was also carrying a few commercial vehicles, hit the pier but no-one was hurt in the incident. A spokesman for the ferry company said early indications were that a mechanical fault was to blame. Engineers are now assessing damage to the pier, which is not thought to be too severe.
Collision with pier
February 3 Imagination
Carnival Cruise Lines
From a passenger: a passenger from our ship died while parasailing in Cozumel.  We got no details other than the statement that a passenger had been in an 'unfortunate accident' while in Cozumel.  The ship pulled out of port about an hour late in order to complete paperwork related to the accident, according to the cruise announcement. Another reader sent a URL for a story about the victim. He also said the victim's harness failed and he dropped approx 250 ft. to the water and died.
Death on shore
February 3 Boudicca
Fred Olsen Cruises
The Antigua Sun reports a British couple was attacked and robbed yesterday while on an outing in the Villa area. It is reported that the couple arrived in Antigua earlier yesterday, journeyed to the Villa area, and while walking along Bay Street, they were approached by three young men, who suddenly appeared from out of some nearby bushes. The youths were armed with a piece of stick. The couple was then robbed of a digital camera. During the incident, the female visitor received a blow to her head with the stick while the man sustained an injury to his hand, after being struck by the piece of stick. They were taken to the Mount St. John Medical Centre (MSJMC) where they were treated and discharged.
Robbery ashore
February 2 Bahamas Celebration
Celebration Cruise Line
A reader writes: Illness hit many of the passengers on the Jan 29 sailing to Nassau (including my wife). Saturday night it seems at least 1/3 third of the passengers became ill with gastrointestinal symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Ship crew would not confirm norovirus or food poisoning, but the illness did not seem to pass on to others, suggesting food poisoning. Returned to Fort Lauderdale Monday morning. We had booked in the specialty restaurant for the Sunday night. My wife was too sick to leave her stateroom, but I went on my own. Another group was there: was supposed to be a group of 16. Only 7 were there, as the rest were too ill. Other groups came in later. One was to be 8 people; only 5 could come. Most everyone I talked to had a partner or friends ill. It all seemed to begin from 6 pm Saturday to Sunday morning.
Illness
January 30 Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Internationa
Posting at Cruise Criitc: Greetings from the still intact Mariner of the Seas. Yes, there was a bomb threat yesterday and for a while the entire port was closed. Could not use the elevators and anything below deck 4 was off limits. Kinda tough climbing the 3 decks of stairs for lunch, but we made it Divers made numerous swims under the ship and the local law enforcement was searching the lower decks. Around 5:00 pm Captain Per came on and gave us the REAL story. We had received many announcements throughout the day, but finally got the rest of the story.
Bomb scare
January 28 Carnival Dream
Carnival Cruise Lines
John Heald's blog says the ship missed its port call at Costa Maya because of high winds. Those same winds were responsible for Carnival Glory cancelling her call at Mahogany Bay and going to the old pier at Isla Roatan instead.
Missed port call
January 28 Ecstasy
Carnival Cruise Lines
Posters at Cruise Critic indicate that as the ship was docking at Galveston it hit the elevated gangway used to embark & disembark guests. There wasn't much damage to the ship other than scraped paint, but several window panels fell out of gangway. The $1.8 million structure is out of commission for 30 days or more for repairs. The Galveston County Daily News subsequently carried a story.
Collision with pier
January 28 Carnival Miracle
Carnival Cruise Lines
SKN Vibes reports the ship collided with the pier at Port Zante (St. Kitts) around 11:00 a.m. Upon arriving on the scene, there was no permitted entry into the arrival hall, but the cruise ship had a visible blackened dent on the right side. It was confirmed that both the cruise ship and the port facility were damaged during this morning’s berthing. “According to information received, while the ship was berthing a gust of wind thrust the ship to hit one of the dolphins and it subsequently hit a one of the fenders on the pier. The dolphin and fender were damaged and the ship also sustained damages.” The ship will remain in St. Kitts overnight for repairs and depart for Fort Lauderdale tomorrow morning. It will arrive Sunday in Fort Lauderdale four hours later than usual, arriving at noon.
Collision with pier
January 27 Queen Victoria
Cunard Line
The CDC reports 19 of 983 crew (1.93%) and 168 of 1854 passengers (9.06) reported ill on the cruise running 12 - 27 January. The cruise began in New York City; CDC performed an operational inspection on January 15th in Fort Lauderdale; the cruise ended in San Francisco. This is the second illness outbreak in a row.
Illness
January 27 Clelia II
Travel Dynamics International
Thought to have sustained only minor damage to its starboard propeller when a strong current pushed the ship against rocks in Antarctica in late December (see December 27, 2009), the ship's Antarctica season has now been canceled. When taken out of the water in drydock, it was determined the propeller would need to be replaced. The ship remains in drydock, awaiting the delivery of a propeller being manufactured in Denmark. The propeller is expected to be installed by the beginning of March. The ship is scheduled to sail the Amazon River starting March 20.
Cancelations
January 27 Norwegian Sky
Norwegian Cruise Line
Bahama Islands Info reports two cruise passengers were struck by a car at 10am Tuesday, January 26th, when the motorcycle they were on attempted to negotiate a U-turn on Queens Highway. The rider and passenger were knocked from the motorcycle, receiving injuries for which they were transported to the Accident and Emergency Section of the Rand Memorial Hospital. At 1:40pm, the female, age 64 years, succombed to her injuries and the male, age 63 years, was treated and detained. Investigations are being continued by officers at the Police Traffic Department.
Death ashore
January 26 Carnival Destiny
Carnival Cruise Lines
Cruise Critic reports the cancelingof two of the ship's sailings -- and will modify three others -- to allow the ship to dry-dock for repairs to its propulsion system. The dry-dock will take place February 13 through 20. Canceled: A five-night sailing, departing on February 13 and a four-night sailing, departing on February 18, will be canceled. Note: A brand-new, two-night cruise to Nassau has been created, departing on February 20. Modified: A five-night cruise on January 30 will now visit Cozumel and Costa Maya instead of Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman, a four-night cruise on February 4 will visit Cozumel and skip a scheduled call in Key West, and a five-night sailing, departing February 8, will include stops in Freeport (rather than Grand Turk), Nassau and Half Moon Cay.
Itinerary changes & cancelations
January 22 Boudicca
Fred Olsen Cruises
The Portsmouth News reports 150 passengers became ill from norovirus on the Canary Island cruise beginning January 4 and ending January 18.
Illness
January 22 Royal Clipper
Star Clippers
USA Today reports a 30-year old New Mexico woman was found dead in Antigua after she strayed from a barbecue near Pigeon Point Beach. The woman was stabbed to death; her body was found at around 5 p.m. Tuesday on a secluded trail at Windward Bay. A statement provided by Star Clippers said authorities have a description of the alleged assailant, but have not made an arrest. UPDATE: Star Clippers have pulled out of Antigua til at least next winter. They will be monitoring the port security over the summer and make a decision about next winter nearer the time. They are replacing Antigua with Nevis on the remaining cruises til they sail back to Europe in April.
Murder ashore
January 22 Sapphire Princess
Princess Cruises
From a passenger: The ship cancelled our stop at Cabo San Lucas yesterday, January 21, 2010, due to high seas because of storms that had passed through north of Cabo, which would have slowed us down and possibly made people miss their flights home from Los Angeles on Saturday. Good thing they did, we think--pretty rough seas today.
Canceled port call
January 21 Liberty of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Cayman News Service reports the body of a 37-year-old man has been discovered in a cabin on board the ship. A spokesperson said that officers were investigating the situation but were unable to give any more details about how the man may have died. Police said they received a report that the body had been found just before lunchtime today (Thursday 21 January). The cruise had already caused controversy in some quarters of the community as the ship had been chartered by a tour operator catering to gay tourism.
Death onboard
January 21 Fantasy
Carnival Cruise Lines
The Press Register reports today's departure was delayed because of heavy fog in the Port of Mobile and surrounding areas. The ship will get under way as soon as fog lifts sufficiently to tow the ship to the Gulf of Mexico -- it could be later tonight, and it could be in the morning. Update from Passenger: We were able to get undeway about 11 PM as the fog broke somewhat. Arrived three hours late in Cozumel two days later, but extended stay by two hours to make up. On the way back, 200 miles from Mobile, passenger with illness along with family members evacuated by helicopter from ship to hospital in Mobile. The previous cruise by the way was two-three hours late arriving back in Mobile and this caused a massive traffice jam for miles at the terminal parking, and delayed the attempted departure by two hours, which was then further delayed due to fog as previously mentioned. The City of Mobile (who handles the parking deck/terminal) is not well equipped to handle traffice at the cruise terminal when situations such as this occur, as the parking garage can only barely hold one ship's worth of vehicles. Returning cruise did arrive back in Mobile on time.
Fog delay
January 17 Expedition
GAP Expeditions
I have been informed that GAP's new ship (Expedition) didn't sail from Ushuaia on it most recent cruise. There is no word about what is wrong. Passenegrs were accommodated on other ships sailing to Antarctica. From a reader: The ship has been laid up in Las Palmas with engine trouble since at least November.
Cancellation - engine trouble
January 16 Volendam
Holland America Line
Fiji Times reports the ship cancelled its visit to Levuka after an assessment by the ship's master that showed that the passage and the currents were unsafe for passengers to go ashore from the vessel. The ship had to leave for Suva early in the morning. The vessel started its journey on January 6 from Sydney, Australia heading to New Caledonia, on to Vanuatu, then to Fiji yesterday.
Cancelled port call
January 14 Amsterdam
Holland America Line
The CDC today reported the following illness outbreak last month: The ship reported 8 of 610 (1.31%) crew and 56 of 1317 (4.25%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 21 day cruise ending December 23.
Illness
January 14 Seven Seas Mariner
Regent Seven Seas Cruies
The CDC today reported the following illness outbreak last month: The ship reported 28 of 621 (4.51%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on an 18 day cruise ending December 20.
Illness
January 14 Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Cruise Line
From a reader: Just got off the ship. Had broken azipod propusion system when we left new york.. ship was constantly listing and bouncing for five days until fixed in St. Thomas.
Propulsion problems
January 14 Sapphire Princess
Princess Cruises

The following was received today from a reader - I include it here because it is (in my mind) outrageous -- children throwing food overboard are expelled from the ship, but the ship itself regularly discharges liquified food waste as part of normal operations. Make up your own mind on who is "right." For Christmas, my husband and I gave our two grown sons and their families a cruise to Mexico on the Sapphire Princess departing and returning to Los Angeles. We were spending Christmas on the ship. It would have been the first time I had managed to get both families together in 20 years for the holiday. On Dec. 23, at sea between Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, my two grandsons, age 13 ands 15, were in a cabin of another boy they had met on the ship and they had thrown some articles of food overboard including a fork. Apparently, they were spotted on camera by security. The next day in Cabo San Lucas (Christmas Eve day), my son, his wife and the two boys were ordered off the ship by Captain Tony Herriott and had to pay their own way back to Los Angeles. Three other families whose sons were also involved were ordered off the ship. The Captain's actions devastated us all. Needless to say, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were very depressing days for the seven of us that remained on board. There is now a new Christmas Grinch out there and he is the Captain of a Princess cruise ship!

Expulsion from ship
January 14 Musica
MSC Cruises

Police reportedly suspect that a crew member found dead on the ship off Brazil was strangled. The woman’s body was discovered inside her cabin by a man believed to be her partner, the O Globo newspaper reported. She worked as a bartender on the ship, which was about to complete a seven-day, trans-Atlantic cruise. The man who found the woman told police she hanged herself with a bedsheet, but officers said they believed she was strangled, the newspaper said.

Murder
January 14 Balmoral
Fred Olsen Cruises
I have received an email from a passenger on the current world cruise saying that 80 people have been confined to their cabin because of norovirus. More information will be posted as it becomes available. UPDATE February 3: The CDC reports 293 of 1163 passengers (25.19%) and 17 of 519 crew (3.28%) reported ill on the cruise running 5 January to 4 February (time in US waters on world cruise).
Illness
January 13 Explorer of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
RCI issued a statement that the ship's departure from dry dock in Freeport, Bahamas was delayed. Because of this, it is expected to arrive in Bayonne, New Jersey on Thursday, January 14 later than originally scheduled. Guests are asked to not arrive at the port before 3:00 p.m., but no later than 7:00 p.m. The delayed departure is not expected to have an impact on the scheduled itinerary.
Delayed departure
January 12 Aurora
P&O Cruises
Cruises.co.uk has a posting about an illness outbreak on the early stages of a world cruise. As stated, Already the buffet restaurant has been closed for four days and the Captains party has been postponed twice. It is unclear the extent of the illness.
Illness
January 12 Dawn Princess
Princess Cruises
Sydney Morning Herald reports more than 240 Australian passengers on a cruise to New Zealand were struck down by a gastro virus. Health officials boarded the ship when it docked at Station Pier in Melbourne early yesterday to examine infection-control procedures after the outbreak caused vomiting and diarrhoea among passengers. All passengers were allowed to leave the ship which was ending its 13-night cruise in Melbourne. "The infection control officer will be checking that cleaning procedures have been carried out to prevent any further spread," said Victorian health department spokesman Graeme Walker. Carnival Australia, the company that operates the ship, confirmed the outbreak happened three days after it left Melbourne on December 29 with about 2000 passengers.
Illness
January 11 Disney Wonder
Disney Cruise Line,
A poster at Cruise Critic writes: Me, the hubby and three kids set sail 1-7-10 for a three day Bahamas on Disney Wonder. By midnight the second night, our 13 year old was sick and about 16 hours later it hit the 11 year old. Ship doctor said "GI" infection and gave us anti-nausea meds, he was cranky and rude (which is unacceptable when dealing with sick children). In his defense, however, I quickly discovered why. I'll bet he and his staff were up all night dealing with sick people. By the second morning, after the first kid got sick, all buffet stations were no longer self-serve. Even the beverage stations on deck were roped off and crew members were handing drinks to people.
Illness
January 10 Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Cruise Line
A reader reports: there were reports on our sailing (Jan 3rd) that 300 pax were sick with GI. One passenger who came down sick was a close friend of mine. I can tell you that after the first day, all buffet areas were no longer "self serve" and remained that way for the entire cruise. NCL appeared to be very diligent in battling the outbreak. Crew was sanitizing constantly, and did seem to get it under control. From another reader: According to one ship announcement the illness involved up to 8% of the passengers. The Jade went into extensive prevention measures including hand santisers in every elevator, crew with hand spray at the entrance to each restaurant and the major shop, removal of all brochures about trips which normally are available for passenger reading, and substituting crew for all self-service including bread at dinner, coffee and tea in the cafe. When we returned to Barcelona at the end of the cruise continuing passengers were obliged to leave the ship for several hours in the morning as the entire ship was being sanitized. Sorry to say it didn't work for me - I came down with a virus of short duration at the second Moroccan port with complications that lasted several days. Medical attention was prompt, and free, and, fortunately, effective.
Illness
January 9 Queen Victoria
Cunard Line
The Daily Mail erroneously reports the ship could be refused entry into the U.S. after an outbreak of a winter vomiting bug. The paper said the Queen Victoria will not be allowed to dock if the virus reaches an epidemic rate, where 15 per cent of those onboard are affected, authorities warn. So far, 30 people have been confined to their cabins. The ship's captain has ordered a major cleaning operation of handrails, dining rooms and other public areas in a bid to protect the remaining 2,000 or so passengers and crew. Self-service of food and beverages has been stopped and receptions have been canceled. The ship is due to arrive at New York on Monday and on Tuesday will leave for the Caribbean for a two-week tour. Update: South Florida Business Review and the CDC reports 9.55% of passengers (179) reported ill as did eight (0.981%) of ther crew.
Illness
January 8 Poesia
MSC Cruises
The Sun Sentinel reports Authorities evacuated hundreds of people from a Port Everglades terminal after a customs agent stopped a man with a suspicious liquid that may have sickened the agent. The 25-year-old man accused of having the liquid was held on a charge of marijuana possession because he also was found with the drug. The customs agent, as well as the Broward Sheriff's Office, was on the lookout for subjects of arrest warrants, as passengers were disembarking from a cruise ship about 10:30 a.m. at Terminal 4. The ship had returned to Port Everglades after a five-night cruise. About 300 people, including cruise ship passengers, were in the terminal during the incident and were evacuated. Meanwhile, passengers still on the ship were required to remain aboard while hazardous materials technicians investigated. Officials reopened the terminal about three hours after the incident.
Terminal evacuated
January 7 Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Cruise Line
A reader reports a man went overboard. Discussions with crew indicated he was wearing a life jacket. He was apparently rescued and then put off the ship in Turkey. I personally heard the operation bright star called out about 30 minutes before sunset, and saw the ship come to a stop. I then saw rescue boats in the water. It was announced by the cruise director at the show that night that the man was "rescued and re-united with his family". From another reader: I will confirm that there was a passenger overboard, off the coast of Egypt. The ship changed course to locate and rescue him, and lucky for him they were quick about it, as darkness was falling. We heard unofficially that he jumped with a life jacket, and officially that he was rescued alive.
Overboard - Rescued alive
January 7 Hannah Glover and Rockmmore
Rockmore Co.
The Boston Herald reports the company has agreed to pay more than $300,000 in fines and other costs for dumping raw sewage directly from its vessels into coastal waters and the Charles River. Prosecutors allege that Marblehead-based Rockmore Co. Inc., which operates the vessels Hannah Glover and Rockmore, from 1990 until 2006 knowingly discharged untreated sewage from the boats toilets into North Shore waters. The Hannah Glover offers dinner cruises, sightseeing trips, and ferry service. The Rockmore is a restaurant boat moored in Salem Harbor. Under an agreement reached with federal prosecutors, the company agreed to plead guilty to two counts of violating federal law, and pay a $225,000 fine as well as a $75,000 payment to the state environmental trust.
Environmental
January 7 Black Watch
Fred Olsen Cruises
The BVI Beacon reports a second cruise passenger died this month while swimming off Tortola (see January 5 below). The latest incident involved an 86 year old man swimming at Nanny Cay Beach who was pulled from the water at 2:30 PM and transported to Peebles Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 3:30 PM, and an autopsy is pending.
Death ashore
January 6

Star Clipper
Star Clippers Cruises

Travel Pulse reports the company announced that its tall ship in Asia will relocate to the Caribbean for the 2010 winter season due to increased piracy in the Far East. Following its summer sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean, Star Clipper will reposition to St. Maarten in November for seven-night roundtrip cruises. The company has deployed a ship to the Far East during the winter for more than a decade. The Far East itineraries, featuring Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, have been well received, but owner Mikael Krafft said geopolitical conditions, not related directly to the destinations themselves, dictated this decision.
Piracy concerns
January 5 Sea Princess
Princess Cruises
Virgin Islands Platinum News reports a cruise passenger from a ship docked at Tortola died after he was pulled out of the sea in the area of Cane Garden Bay (CGB) beach. The man, in his 50´s, was unconscious but relentless CPR work assisted him in regaining some level of consciousness. At one point, he was not breathing on his own and information suggests that he had a weak pulse. Rescuers were able to get a substantial amount of food and liquid out of him during rescuing measures at the beach, however one and a half hours later he was pronounced dead at the hospital. BVI lifeguard officials have been warning persons not to go into areas where there are red flags and a bulletin issued for Tuesday had clearly stated the dangerous areas on Tortola included Apple Bay, Josiah´s Bay, Lambert Beach and with Cane Garden Bay being the most dangerous for Tuesday. All these areas have red flags as warning signs.
Death ashore
January 5 Star Princess
Princess Cruises
Cruise Critic and Princess Cruises reported the ship arrived in Valparaiso late (at around 11:30 AM rather than 6:00 AM), likely the result of rough seas enroute to the port. Many passengers needed assistance changing flight arrangements given the late arrival. The report was removed from both websites later in the day, so a URL cannot be given.
Late arrival
January 5 Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Cruise Line
From a reader: It has been reported that Norwegian Gem is experiencing propulsion trouble on her current cruise. This has caused at least one session of drifting without power and missing the call into San Juan. Currently there are no further details as to what the cause is or if it will impact future cruises.
Propulsion problems
January 5 Monarch of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Times Now reports forty eight hours after the suicide of a 23-year old woman (see December 31, 2009), her husband who is an onboard manager has gone missing. A subseqeunt report in Indian Express indicates he went missing after the ship docked in Miami.
Crew member missing
January 5 Balmoral
Fred Olsen Cruises
Kent Online reports the ship is undergoing a thorough clean and disinfection at Dover today after more than 350 passengers and crew were taken ill during a Christmas and New Year cruise. The ship leaves tonight on a 106-night world cruise.
Illness
January 4 Georich
Phillipine ferry
Manilla Bulletin reports a Cebu-bound (Phillipines) passenger vessel conked out off Apo Island Saturday night, leaving the fate of 465 passengers to strong winds and waves for nearly an hour before it was towed to safety. The vessel left the port of Dapitan at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday on its way to Cebu. It was set to make a stopover in Dumaguete City but about two hours into the voyage, it experienced a malfunction in its main engine. It was subsequently determined that some parts of the engine were damaged beyond repair. The ship was towed to the Dumaguete port. The ship was scheduled to arrive in Dumaguete at 8 PM but the incident delayed its arrival to 2 AM the following day, Sunday.
Engine failure
January 3 Summit
Celebrity Cruises
From a passenger: At St. Thomas Celebrity Summit had a bomb scare clearing passengers and providing food at a restaurant on the pier Jan 3 about 2:00pm local time
Bomb scare
January 3 Indian ferry AFP reports at least 27 people were missing after an overcrowded ferry capsized in a river in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The small vessel, with 38 passengers on board, sank while crossing the Runarayan river in Kolaghat, about 50 kilometres southwest of the state capital Kolkata. It was overcrowded and leaking, and overturned in the middle of the river. Local fishermen had managed to rescue nine men and two children after the incident.
Sunk
January 2 Palm Beach Princess Casino CBS 12 News reports the ship arrived back at the dock three and a half hours late after being stalled five miles off shore. Passengers finally disembarked at 3:45am. An officer aboard the ship says high winds prevented the gambling boat from making a safe return. Passengers tell CBS 12 they were concerned the delay could have been a result of a malfunctioning engine. A tug boat brought the Palm Beach Princess back to the dock. All passengers received a voucher for a free cruise.
Delayed arrival

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